Jonathan, Shonekan, Governors Extol Gov Fashola’s Late Father

President Goodluck Jonathan, a former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan and some state governors yesterday extolled Pa Ademola Fashola, the late father of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
Jonathan, in a message to the interment at Ikoyi, Lagos, said Fashola lived a fulfilled life and died at the ripe age of 80 years.
“I express my condolences to the governor and other members of the family; I wish the late governor’s father Aljanah Fidau (the biggest paradise),’’ the president said.
Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi, represented the president on the occasion.
Governor Fashola, who hurriedly returned to Lagos last night from Saudi Arabia where he was performing the lesser hajj, carried out the dust-to-dust ritual on behalf of family members.
He commended President Jonathan for rallying round the family in the moment of grief.
“I thank Mr President who called persistently until he got to me; he sent his representative to this occasion today — the Minister for Sports.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has condoled with his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babatunde Fashola over the death of his father, Ademola Fashola.
Amaechi expressed his sympathy to the Fashola family in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor.
He urged Fashola and his family to be strong as they go through this period of grief and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
“This is a most trying and heartbreaking time for you. But be assured that God knows best. I pray that you find strength and comfort from within as you mourn your late father and patriarch.”
“He was an exemplary father, a man who raised successful children, one of which is today the Governor of Lagos State. May his soul rest in peace,” Amaechi stated.
Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum yesterday commiserated with Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State over the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, said in Minna in a condolence message signed by his spokesman, Mr Danladi Ndayebo, that the death of Alhaji Fashola was a big loss to the governor and the people of Lagos State.
The statement said that the death of Alhaji Fashola came at a critical time when his advice and guidance were required to address the myriad of problems confronting the nation.
The statement urged Governor  Fashola to be consoled by the fact that his late father lived a life of service to God and humanity.
It advised the governor not to be discouraged by his father’s death, but should forge ahead with the enormous task of repositioning Lagos State.
It said that the best tribute that Fashola would pay to his late father was to continue to touch the lives of the people of Lagos State positively like he had been doing since his assumption of office in 2007.
The statement prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and members of his family and the people of Lagos State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“I will like to say thank you very much to everyone who has rallied round the family even before I came back from Saudi Arabia.
“My brother governors, Imams and everybody, I thank you. Our gratitude is deep and immense and we cannot fully express it.
“My father was a loving friend, who allowed us to be the best we can. He guided us and encouraged us to succeed,’’Fashola said.
The governor said the family was glad that Pa Fashola passed on in the holy month of Ramadan and prayed to God to grant him a comfortable rest in Allah’s bosom.
Speaking on the occasion, Fayemi thanked God for giving late Fashola the grace to live an exemplary life.
“The legacies he left behind are worthy of emulation.
“We thank God that he left good children who are going to continue where he stopped and further promote the development of humanity.’’
In his comment, Amosun said the achievements of Gov. Fashola in Lagos were proofs that the deceased cared for his children and humanity.
Our correspondent also reports that the Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Akinola Garba, led prayers on the occasion.
Among the dignitaries, who attended the burial, included a former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas.
Others are the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rep.Yakub Balogun, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a business mogul